Former blood donor finds himself on the other side

September 12, 2017 07:11 PM

When it comes to battling cancer, even the best treatment advances often rely on something only you can provide -- donated blood. That's what a Saratoga resident and one time blood donor learned first-hand.

Enjoying the late summer sunshine is a delight for 72-year-old Vic Cinquino. The retired architect and wood worker is looking forward to the ski season -- provided he feels strong enough. He's battling lung cancer. Diagnosed at the end of last year, he initially tolerated the chemotherapy.

Advertisement â€“ Content Continues Below

"But little by little, the chemo had been attacking my red blood cells and they were going down at each sequence," he explained. "So by the time I got into the second of the maintenance treatments, they had fallen below the tolerance level."

He needed a blood transfusion to boost his red blood cell level so he could continue with the chemotherapy that was keeping his cancer in check. It also helped him function, because when his red counts dropped, so did his energy.

"Just so tired, so weak," he noted.

As a former blood donor, Cinquino always knew the time he took to roll up his sleeve and give the gift of life was important. Now though, he and Deborah, his wife of 38 years, are more keenly aware of just how important.

"I want to go on the record as saying absolutely thank you to those people who have given the blood, because without it, my blood is garbage right now. So without good, strong, healthy, whole red blood, I really can't continue to go on," he pointed out.

You can help save a life this Thursday, September 14. NewsChannel 13 and the American Red Cross are teaming up for our Save a Life Blood Drive. You can donate from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at locations in Albany, Clifton Park, Schenectady and Troy. Walk-ins are always welcome.